A FOSTER father wept as he told how he was forced to drive into an industrial estate before a man threatened to kill him and his family.

Richard Bacon said he "felt uncomfortable" when two men, including one who gave his name as Darren, called at his home in Purfleet looking for his foster son, Matthew Phillips.

Mr Bacon said he later drove to buy a takeaway at the Lakeside retail park, when he spotted the two men in a black BMW.

Minutes later he saw the car travelling towards him in Tank Hill Road, Purfleet, but this time the men were gesturing aggressively for him to pull over.

He realised he was in trouble and made a brief call to his girlfriend.

He told Basildon Crown Court: "I said Julie, I think I am going to get shot. The guys who were outside the house are following me. I love you.' I then hung up."

Moments later he was forced to drive into the entrance of the Purfleet Industrial Estate and when his car stopped, the two men got out of the BMW.

Mr Bacon said Darren told him: "We want Matt. There is a contract on him. There is £5,000 on his head. If you cannot come up with Matt, and we know you are hiding him, the contract is on you instead or Julie or the kids."

Darren Spooner, 27, of Manser Road, Rainham and Tony Phillips, 25, of Victoria Road, Romford, deny making threats to kill on May 15.

The trial continues.